last bike you rode that wasn't your own

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

What was the last bike you rode that wasn't your own? Could be test rides, having a quick blast on a mate's, etc.

I ask because I rode a good friend's aprilia tuareg 660 the other week - all weekend, in fact. I haven't ridden a new bike - a contemporary bike - for quite a few years. And even then it was an 850GS (which was so, so bad), and a 1200RT (Squires demo day). As good as the RT was, it still had a lump with its roots in the 1920s, or something.

So other than that, I've never ridden anything new, anything properly modern. And partly for that reason, the toerag felt incredible. After pummelling my 1150gs around these back lanes, the 660 felt like a bmx. With a strong engine, amazing suspension, and great handling. I properly enjoyed that bike - and was sad to get off it. It was a bit tall - and the high beam switch is terribly positioned. But other than that - great. Much better than I'd expected.

Apparently they can be had for £9.5k at the moment. That's over twice what I can afford, but still. Also, the local dealer has a bad rep - which is off-putting.

So yes - what's the last bike you rode that wasn't yours, and what did you make of it?
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Bhud]

KLE500.

It sucked balls.

[MCN]

BMW LT 1200.
Nice machine. It was brand new.
All the bells and whistles.
Even a hillstart system.
It holds the brakes on until the traction control detects that the transmission has the load.

I don't want to discuss the pros and cons of that.

It was a nice idea that's all.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[redeem ouzzer]

An XTZ700 Tenere, the new one with the CP2 engine. Couldn’t really fault it other than the seat being fucking useless after 40 minutes.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[grr666]

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 Courtesy bike when the MT10 went in for first service. Big comfy thing but I didn't go very far on it.
How is the adjuster lever for the screen height on the front of the bike? Seems a bit mad to me.


https://i.imgur.com/B062Jv6.jpg

Next up will likely be my pals (somehow) road legal '22 KTM 450 SR which I'm very much looking forward to crashing.
I went out with him a couple of weeks ago. It gets off the line like a bastard and seems to want to point it's front
wheel at the sky at all times. Should be a laugh. He wants a thrash on mine too which is fair enough, he had a R1M
before the KTM so he'll be fine with my bike. It's basically one of these.

https://www.ktm.com/en-lt/models/supermoto/ktm-450-smr-2023.html
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[arry]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52965980513_b84ed4093a_b.jpg

[dave001]

A Zero sr/s they were give rides the other week when they had a load at a bike shop i know

I when for a blast on one just to prove to my self theirs a ZERO chance ill ever want a electric piece of shite

yep and after ride I dint change my mind.

[stinkwheel]

Mrs stinkwheels CBR600F. Other than the suspension being too soft for me, it's an absolute missile with impeccable road manners and razor-sharp handling that embarasses me every time I roll off to go into a corner.

I always think there's something wrong with it after coming off my VFR because there's very little bottom end in it and it takes me a while to realise I should be one or two gears lower, then it takes off like a scalded cat until I'm going faster than i'm comfortable with.

Rode a rental Benelli 310 on holiday. It had more meh than you could shake a stick at. 100% bland, underpowered and uninteresting which I compensated for by thrashing the absolute tatties off it. I put 10% on it's top speed in the 4 days I had it.

What will be interesting is I'm going to be having a go on an electric trials bike at the weekend which is probably 1/3 of the weight and half as much power again as the one I'm riding. Super modern everything including the mega sticky tyres. Should be an eye-opener.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Diggs]

C90. Loved it. I felt like Jasper Carrot.
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[Nobby the Bastard]

But a C90 isn't a moped...
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[grr666]

They are funky though.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Nobby the Bastard]

they're something I'd never try and take round a hallowed junction in swindon, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCaeCPpsXV8
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[slowasyoulike]

A quick, helmetless blast on a mate's 650 Burgman convinced me that I really should get my arse in gear, pass my test and punt on my old Daelim 125. Compared to what I was used to, the Suzuki was like a jet fighter.

[Nobby the Bastard]

A burgman felt like a jet fighter?

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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Easy-X]

The old fella's Triumph America. Not an enjoyable ride with only 10psi in the front tyre He's selling it as he hasn't ridden it much since getting the Breakout.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Polarbear]

Wifies ex track bike. 600 yammy. Horrible thing really. 1999 and it shows.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Polarbear]

Actually that's untrue. I rode an MV Augusta F4 and lasted about 5 miles before I was in screaming agony. The bloke who owned it was 10 years older than me and he could manage 20 miles. Fit bugger he was.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[c_dug]

well, the last time I rode a bike of my own was pretty much bang on exactly 1 year ago. It was written off 30th June last year.

Since then I rode a courtesy bike (NC750X), my dad's bike (Husqvarna 701 svartpilen), and one od my best friends bike (Tuono 660).

I don't think I've been on two wheels since end of last year and I can't remember which bike I rode last!

The NC was a bit dull but actually better than I expected, very practical too.

The Svartpilen was absolutely fucking bonkers. It looks like a bicycle and rides like a gazelle with a wasp up its arse.

The Tuono 660 was still being run in but it felt fun and sounded nice.

Funnily enough I'm very likely to be picking up either a Tuono 660 or Tuareg 660 for my next bike - depends if my dad convinces me to go off road touring with him!
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Diggs]

[B1N]

Nobody bothers to get front mudguards fixed these days, just remove it and call it an upgrade.

[Evil Hans]

That would be my daughter's 50cc Sinnis scooter, which was hilarious.


If that doesn't count, then it was my brother's DragStar 650.

To be polite (just in case he reads this), I was not really a fan.
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Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[DJS]

Triumph Sprint ST 1050.
It wasn’t mine as I was test riding it at the dealers and yup - I bought it.
Should be doing the actual swap over with my Bonnie next week - happy days!

[Nobby the Bastard]

Welcome to the dark side...
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[slowasyoulike]